Do Australians Need the Philippines Arrival Card? Requirements & Entry Guide

If you’re heading to the Philippines in 2026, you can say goodbye to those old-school paper arrival forms—everything’s gone digital! The Philippine government swapped out the traditional arrival card for the eTravel registration (officially known as the Philippine e-arrival card) back in 2022, and it’s still a must-do step for most travelers.

What exactly is the Philippines Arrival Card (eTravel)?

The Philippines has swapped the One Health Pass for the new e-Arrival Card! Here’s everything you need to know to get ready for your next adventure...

The Philippines Arrival Card is your digital immigration and customs declaration form—not a visa. It’s the modern, hassle-free replacement for those old paper forms you used to scramble to fill out on the plane or at the airport. The government uses it to gather a few essential details:

• The basics (your full name, birthday, and how to reach you)
• Passport details (number, issue/expiry dates, issuing country)
• Travel details (flight number, departure country, and where you're staying)
• Customs declaration (for food, agricultural products, or cash exceeding USD 10,000 ≈ 14,329.21 AUD
• Health declaration (recent travel to restricted areas, illness history, and vaccination status if required)

It’s 100% online, free to use, and only takes 5–10 minutes to complete. Once you’ve submitted it, you’ll get a QR code—just save it on your phone or print a copy to show at immigration and customs.

Do Australians Need a Philippine Arrival Card?

Yes, Australian citizens need a Philippines Arrival Card.

However, it is no longer a physical paper form. The Philippines uses a mandatory digital portal called the eTravel System (at etravel.gov.ph).

Key Things Australian Travellers Need to Know

• Mandatory for All: Every traveler holding an Australian passport (including children and infants) must register individually before entering the Philippines.
• 72-Hour Window: You must complete the registration within 72 hours prior to your scheduled flight.
• 100% Free: Registration on the official Philippine government website (etravel.gov.ph) is completely free. Watch out for third-party scam sites asking for payment.
• QR Code Required: Once completed, you will receive a QR code. You can save it to your smartphone (or print it out) to show at airline check-in and immigration upon arrival.

Other Philippines Entry Checklist for Australians

1. Visa-Free Access: Australians do not need a visa for tourist or business stays of up to 30 days.
2. Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date.
3. Onward/Return Ticket: Immigration requires proof of an outbound flight from the Philippines within your 30-day allowance.

Who Needs to Complete a Philippine eTravel Card?

Most travelers heading to the Philippines need to fill it out, but there’s one major exception (this rule kicked in late 2025 and is still in effect):

• You’ll need one if you’re a foreign tourist, business traveler, student, transit passenger, an OFW not returning for good, or any non-Filipino citizen.
• You won't need it if: You're a Filipino citizen heading back home (this includes returning residents).

Quick heads-up: Even if you’re visa-exempt (like Singaporeans or Malaysians staying for up to 30 days), you’ll still need to complete the eTravel form. It’s a separate requirement from standard visa rules!

How to Get & Complete Your Philippine eTravel Card

Follow these steps—make sure to complete them within 72 hours of leaving home to breeze right past those long airport lines. Just stick to the official portal, and you'll be all set!

1. Head over to the official eTravel portal: Simply visit etravel.gov.ph on your phone or computer. From there, just select the “Arriving” option (this is for all travelers entering the Philippines).
2. Time to fill in your personal & passport details! Simply enter your full name (exactly as it appears on your passport), date of birth, nationality, passport number, issue and expiration dates, and the country of issue. Double-check everything—a quick review now helps avoid any travel hiccups later!
3. Add your travel details: Pop in your flight number, the date and time you're departing from home, when you'll be touching down in the Philippines, and where you'll be staying (just the hotel name and address, or the address of the friend or family member you're visiting).
4. Make sure to complete your customs declaration: honesty is the best policy here! If you're carrying food, plants, animals, or cash over $10,000 (≈ 14,329.21 AUD) (or the equivalent), be sure to declare it. It's better to be safe than sorry, as undeclared items can be seized!
5. Complete your health declaration: Just answer a few quick questions about any recent travel to restricted countries, potential exposure to infectious diseases, or any recent illness. As of 2026, most travelers won't need to provide proof of vaccination (unless government requirements change).
6. Submit & save your QR code: Once you've reviewed all the details, go ahead and submit the form. You'll receive your QR code via email (or you can save it directly from the portal). Be sure to keep this QR code handy—you'll just need to scan it when you arrive.

If you happen to forget before you head out, the friendly folks at the Philippine Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) can help you at the airport—though it might add a little extra time to your travel day!

Essential Documents for Your Philippines eTravel Card

Exciting Updates: New Arrival and Departure Cards for Your Philippines Adventure

Have these ready when you fill out the form—you'll need to refer to them:

• Valid passport: It must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date. Also, please ensure you have at least two blank pages for stamps (not just the small back pages). A damaged passport (tears, water damage) cannot be used. If your passport is damaged, please renew it before your trip.
• Double-check your flight details: make sure you have your flight number, departure and arrival dates, and the airline name all ready to go!
• Where you're staying: The full address of your hotel, Airbnb, or wherever you and your friends or family are calling home for the trip.
• Traveling with little ones? Just a heads-up: even infants need their very own passports—you can't add them to yours—along with their own electronic travel forms. They'll need to meet all the same passport requirements as everyone else, too!

How to Enter the Philippines: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to go? Entering the Philippines is a breeze! Here is your complete, step-by-step guide to the process, from pre-departure prep to your arrival.

1. Pre-Departure (Get Ready Before You Take Off)

• Complete your eTravel registration: Make sure to do this within 72 hours of your departure (head over to etravel.gov.ph). Save your QR code digitally and print out a backup just in case!
• Check visa requirements:
• • Traveling from a visa-free country (like those in ASEAN, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or Australia)? You can enjoy a stay of 30 to 60 days—just be sure to check the Philippine Immigration Bureau website for your specific nationality. While you won't need a visa, completing your electronic travel declaration is still a must!
  • Traveling from a non-exempt country? Be sure to apply for your tourist or business visa at a Philippine embassy or consulate before your trip, and don't forget to bring your visa approval form along!
• Pack your required docs: your passport (make sure it’s compliant with regulations), your eTravel QR code, confirmation of your return flight (immigration might ask to see it to verify you won’t overstay), and your accommodation reservation (confirmed by your hotel or Airbnb).

2. Up in the Air

• While flight attendants might hand out physical customs declaration forms, they're totally optional! Your e-travel registration already covers all that info—just show your QR code at customs and you can breeze right past the paperwork.
• Keep your electronic travel QR code, passport, and visa (if applicable) handy—you’ll need them as soon as you land!

3. Arriving at the airport (Immigration)

• Head over to the “Foreign Nationals” line (or the “Visa-Exempt” line if that applies to you—just keep an eye out for the signs).
• Have these ready to hand over: your passport, electronic travel QR code (digital or printed), and your visa (if you're not visiting visa-free).
• Immigration officers might ask a few quick questions, like "How long are you staying?", "Where are you staying?", or "What's the purpose of your trip?" Just keep your answers clear and concise—no need for a long story!
• They’ll stamp your passport with your entry date and how long you’re allowed to stay—be sure to double-check that stamp to make sure it covers your entire trip!

4. Baggage Claim

• Make your way to the baggage carousel that matches your flight number. If you find your bag is lost or damaged, just head over to your airline’s baggage service desk right away to report it (and be sure to keep your boarding pass handy!).

5. Local Customs

• If you're traveling light and have nothing to declare—meaning no food, plants, or cash exceeding $10,000 (≈ 14,329.21 AUD)—simply head through the "Nothing to Declare" line and you'll be on your way!
• If you have something to declare, just head over to the "Declare" line. Simply show the officer your electronic travel QR code, and they’ll cross-check it with your declaration!
• Be honest about restricted items like fresh fruits or meats—customs inspections are super strict! If you're caught with undeclared goods, you'll be facing a hefty fine, so it's definitely not worth the risk.

6. After You Arrive

• You're all set to go! Simply hail a taxi, book a ride via Grab (the Philippine equivalent of Uber), or hop on the airport shuttle to reach your accommodation. There's no need for visitors to register separately.
• If you find yourself falling in love with the place and need to stay a bit longer than your passport stamp allows, don't worry! As long as you meet the requirements, you can easily extend your stay by visiting an immigration office in major hubs like Manila or Cebu.

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